Radical housing plan

Radical changes to the rules around housing could spell the end of the ‘‘quarter acre pavlova paradise’’ in Lower Hutt.

The city is proposing to allow infill housing, apartments, small houses and three-storey buildings, as part of a District Plan change.

The change has the potential to radically alter the way parts of the city look and the council is surveying residents to find out what they think.

Green Party Cr Lisa Bridson supported changing the rules around housing but only if the designs were ‘‘not crap’’ and properly thought out.

‘‘I think it makes sense to have higher intensity housing near the transport hubs, if we can get the design right.’’

The council first raised the idea of intensified housing in 2014 and at that the time was annoyed by a suggestion that it would result in Lower Hutt looking like Coronation St.

As well as 6000 new homes by 2032, the council is targeting population growth of about 8000.

In 2013 the council proposed rezoning a large section of rural Wainuiomata and building a second access road to allow for the development of up to 2000 new homes.

That plan fell over in the face of opposition from lifestyle-block owners.

The council is in the midst of a massive spend-up on projects such as a $23 million events centre, community hubs, Fraser Park Sportsville and a river promenade.

The problem it faces, however, is how to increase the population to justify spending hundreds of millions of dollars upgrading the city’s infrastructure.

The council is taking a ‘‘fresh look’’ at housing, which means intensification and apartments.

Mayor Ray Wallace said grow- ing the city was heavily dependent on having enough housing. With the status quo, there was a danger that housing could become unaffordable.

Proposed changes to the District Plan would allow apartments and terraced houses, in 10 areas with good access to transport, shopping, parks and schools.

The proposals include two new zones:

Suburban mixed-use zones allowing for buildings of up to three storeys. Buildings would include shops and cafes on the ground floor, with the second and third storeys being residential or offices

A medium-density zone, with residential buildings of up to three storeys. The proposed changes would see infill housing and also allow for tiny houses. All developments requiring resource consent would have to follow a design guide.

Lower Hutt has always prided itself on its large quarter acre sections, and Wallace said there would be opposition.

‘‘If changes to our residential neighbourhoods are made thoughtfully and carefully, then housing growth is a positive thing.‘‘

The council survey on the plan runs until June 5, at huttcity.govt.nz/residentialsurvey